Sparks of pain fly through my chest, making me cough and squeeze my eyes. I’m trembling, because I have no idea what is happening. I’m sitting at my desk in the staffroom of a Japanese high school, with frigid air blowing freely inside from a wide open window to my right. My hands are trembling and I look outside at the blue sky and rolling clouds, wishing I was out there. As … [Read more...]
Open Thread: What Will You Do For Yourself Today?
So many of us get into a routine -- go to work, go to school, come home, eat, sleep, watch some TV... What's missing though? Everyone needs some down time -- a chance to read something that has nothing to do work (I prefer fiction myself), a chance to feel better with a workout, a bike ride, or even just a walk outside, a chance to sit around on your porch and drink … [Read more...]
Freedom: The Ability To Act – Or Just Complain
In the United States, we believe in freedom. We believe in voting on our leaders, choosing our grocery stores, reading whatever books we want, and watching late night television that mocks the leaders we voted on. Many other countries don't have the freedom we believe in. They strive to rise out of poverty, to live even a basic life. A life where they can simply have … [Read more...]
A Little Marketing to Master the Job Search
Given these tough economic times (aka the ”tets”), I often get asked for career advice from friends and family. Everyone is looking for improvement in their career, whether it’s to land that first job, get a promotion or strike an independent consulting path. To them, I always say that half the battle is in landing the opportunity. It’s not about flashy suits and shiny shoes … [Read more...]
How Buddhism Taught Me Lifestyle Design
I live in a monastery in SE Asia. I've been living here since April when I admitted myself to a Zen retreat. It's kind of like admitting yourself to a mental hospital, only more peaceful. I kid. But it's one of the craziest decisions I've ever made in my short, 20-somethings existence. It's been one heck of a (dare I say) enlightening experience, and has taught me a lot about … [Read more...]